The Artist
DESZ is a force. A powerhouse vocalist whose voice carries the weight of gospel, the warmth of R&B, and the raw honesty of a woman who has fought for every stage she has stood on. A voice that demands to be felt, not just heard.
Born in Camp Pendleton, California and raised in Houston, Texas, DESZ grew up in a musical family where her mother was her biggest champion. When her mother passed unexpectedly at just 11 years old, DESZ sang at her funeral. It was the hardest thing she ever did. And it was the moment she knew music was not just a gift. It was a calling.
Classically trained with a love for R&B and opera, she spent years leading worship, performing at open mics across Houston, and sharpening her craft at Prairie View A&M University before moving to Los Angeles to chase her dream. The world finally caught up to what she already knew: this voice was built for something extraordinary.
Notable Credits
2021 - PRESENT
Lead background vocalist and featured performer for 8x Grammy winner and Oscar winner Jon Batiste. Toured globally across the Uneasy Tour, Austin City Limits, Tanglewood, Santa Barbara Bowl, The Muny, First Avenue, Brown University, and stages worldwide. Praised as having a voice "as big as a mass choir's."
2020
Team Kelly. Four-chair turn blind audition. Top 3 finalist. Powerhouse performances of "Un-Break My Heart," "Landslide," and original single "Holy Ground."
2026
Performed at A Celebration of Black Creators during the 68th Grammy Awards at Grammy House, alongside Durand Bernarr, Teedra Moses, and Stevie Mackey.
2019 - 2021
Former member of the Sunday Service Choir. Debuted at Coachella 2019. Toured globally performing at sold-out shows. Featured on the "Jesus Is Born" album.
2026
Opening act for Grammy award-winning artist Durand Bernarr. 4x Grammy nominee for BLOOM, including Best Progressive Album and Best R&B Song.
2022
Featured performer on The Kelly Clarkson Show. Aired April 6, 2022 alongside the Backstreet Boys and Taylor Tomlinson.
2020
Performed "I'm Every Woman" alongside Kelly Clarkson during The Voice Season 19 finale. Kelly called her "the greatest vocalist I've ever worked with on this show."
Watch
"The Truth"
"Sweet Thang"
"Sweet Love" (Live at the Blue Note)
"Unbreak My Heart" (The Voice)
Stream DESZ on Spotify · Apple Music · YouTube
Featured
Billboard
Texan Singer Desz Gets 4-Chair Turn With Stunning Cover
TODAY (NBC)
All 4 Voice Coaches Turn for Incredible Rendition
KPRC 2 Houston
Houston Musician Desz Wows Judges on The Voice
Distractify
Desz Wowed The Voice Judges and Got a Four Chair Turn
The Brown Daily Herald
"Desz Washington's vocals were particularly captivating" with Jon Batiste at Brown University
MPR / The Current
Desz played a significant role with full-bodied vocal performances. Jon Batiste at First Avenue.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
"Washington's voice resounded through the theater as big as a mass choir's." The Muny, 2025.
TribLIVE Pittsburgh
"A performance so chills-inducing it evoked Mary Clayton in Gimme Shelter." Heinz Hall Review.
The Philadelphia Inquirer
"Powerhouse vocalist Desz Washington thunderously let loose." Jon Batiste Playa America Tour.
BTW Berkshires
"Desz unleashed the depths of her alto." Jon Batiste Triumphant Return to Tanglewood.
Entertainment Tonight
DeSz's "Landslide" and "Holy Ground" Bring Kelly Clarkson to Tears at Voice Finale
NBC Los Angeles
Los Angeles Singer Desz Lands in the Top 5 on The Voice
Screen Rant
Everything To Know About Texan Singer-Songwriter Desz
PDX Jazz
Opening Performance by Vocalist DeSz. Jon Batiste Uneasy Tour Portland.
NBC Official
Meet DESZ. The Voice Season 19. Team Kelly.
Live
Contact
For booking inquiries, features, collaborations, press, and all other business.
info@bookdesz.comTalent Management: MogulHaus Talent Management